Paintings use traditional canvases, of course. Dance and theatre use a stage. Film employs the silver screen and music thrives across several platforms.

But on July 4, the Monson Arts Council will be featuring a show that expresses creativity in a different manner: Body art.

As part of the town's Summerfest activities, "bodyARTfest" will take place at the Monson House of Art from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., immediately following the annual Fourth of July parade. The show is the brainchild of Monson Arts Council member Reed Coles. Coles gave the idea a shot a few years ago but said he wasn't really prepared to make it work.

"This time I'm ready for it and things are going along pretty well so far," he said.

Coles clarified that the exhibit will not feature just tattoos. Participants can showcase everything from piercings to temporary body painting.

"It's about what you can do to the body to make it an artful piece," he said. "We of course will have the regular tattoo people as well, but I also hope some people get creative with it. Like if someone painted their body bronze and sat there like 'The Thinker,' that would be cool."

Coles came up the idea because he's simply an avid arts advocate. He has helped the town create various art shows over the past two decades and a body art show just seemed like something that would interest people. He figured doing it during Summerfest was an ideal time, but not without challenges.

"It's a tough day to get people together because it's the Fourth of July, but that also means it's a great day to do it because a lot of people will be around to see it," he said.

Tattoo culture has dramatically risen over the past few decades, Coles noted, and that even soccer moms have them now. And although he doesn't project it to be a huge show as far as number of participants, Coles said he believes it will be successful on several levels.

"I think art is something that raises questions," he said. "I hope this is something that people will be able to go talk about. I think a lot of people will have something to say or think about once it's over."

The show will include two kinds of displays of body art: living and framed. The main exhibits will be people displaying their own body art, and competing for prizes in several categories:. Best in Show ($200), Most Creative ($100), Strongest Statement ($100) and “What was I Thinking?” ($50). The show will be taking donations at the door and those who donate will get a ballot to vote on the various categories.

The second type of display will be tattoo and body art designs and photographs, which will be offered for view and sale by participating tattoo parlors and body art shops.